St. Landry democrat., 1887-04-30
NUMBER l6.

mence. She holds out her hands 50 hint
You are nfy one comfort" she whispers
brOkenly.
They do not hear the door open and in
deed she is still in his arms when Mrs.
Brand s voice falls Oh their ears
as this what you call taking @ little
rcst?" She asks, with deep reproach.
There is, however, no anger i'll her tones
| he looks too sad, too depres ed for anv
open demonstrations of annoyance.
Mrs. Brand" says Massareene, adj
| vancing eagerly toward her, you know
| how it is with me and N1ilIicent. You
must have known for long time. Now
/ that this unhappy affair has left her once
again her own mistress, do not refuse to
let me plead my cause" "
Mrs. Brand has sunk into a chair
You are very persistent" she says.
tapping her fingers upon the table near.
'Because am very much in love-
'And Millicent2'
Il dare to hope that she-has found
some room in her heart for me-"
Let her speak for herself, :" says Mrs.
Brand, with faint touch of ilnpatience.
''Well, Millicent, how is it with you2'i
Il love him, auntie, - says Miss Grey
demureiy. II can't help that, can n
And-I wouldn't if | could! He is not
rich, OF course, but money isn't every
thing. | have been very dutiful up to
this, That you must allow
She says nothing of the secret passages
between her and Massareene, and Of the
determination lately come to, to defy
the world of relations for his sake.
"OnCe yOu chose for me''-
She p4uses. Mrs. Brand sighs.
THAT choice was not altogether
happy"
Still Mrs. Brand is silent.
81 think perhaps if l We're to choose for
myself this time, it would be better"
At this her aunt rouses herself
Il had hoped to see you make great
alliance" she says mournfully. ''You.
with your fortune, and-and that unfortu-
nate young man, with his prospect of an
earldom. All is shattered now. Every
thing is at an end. But still there would
be brilliant future before You if
II shall not give up Gerald, says Mil
licent, drawing back from her somewhat
coldly. You and Uncle Timothy can
leave your money to whom you will; /
shall certainly marry Gerald"
Massareene, coming forward, takes hey
hand and lifts it to his lips. There is g.
great warmth and gladnesS in the gaze
he directs at Mrs. Brand.
Perhaps she gives it its value So true,
so unmercenary a love as this is not to be
despised in the money worshiping world
in which she moves.
''Ot course. if you have quite made up
your mind,'' she says with hesitation,
looking at Millicent. There is something
new and beautiful in the girls face that
attracts her. Love has transfgured iti
After all it may be best for her darling to
abjure ambition and cleave only to love.
You will be good to her, Gerald?" she
says in a low voice.
Massareene, who is looking grave, re-
CARDS her earnestly.
Il shall always love her. ite says, "K
that is what you meant"
''You give your consent, auntie?" asks
AIillicent, kneeling ON the carpet beside
her and encompassing her with her arms.
Eyes. My meddling resulted in so dire
a failure | dare not try it again. am
glad you have chosen man who, If poor,
is at least one who I believe will make
you happy One, too, whom | like and
esteem. Ah! my dear to be able to re-
spect your husband IS a great matter.
Geraldt see that she can always do that.
And as for your uncle Timothy, darling.
think | shall be able to arrange him."
She stoops forward and kisses Millicent
fondly.
"And now where am to go?" says the
poor woman, in melancholy tone. II
left the morning room because / felt sure
that Duran wanted to come to an under
with Nadine, and now you two
lovers are wishing Newell, any where
out of this. >
Nonsense! We shall never wish for
your Absence" cries Millcent tenderly.
Stay with us always, just as long as
ever you like, dear mother minen'